*First off, I wish to apologize for not doing this report earlier, its been
a busy summer for me. I had picked four recitals at Methuen I wanted to
hear and Carson's was one, and I will now, well after the fact, report on
it.*
*Carson Cooman is an American organist and composer. He holds degrees in
music from Harvard University and Carnegie Mellon University,and since
2006 has held the position of Composer in Residence at The Memorial Church,
Harvard University. As an organ recitalist, Carson specializes in the
performance of contemporary music. Over 300 new compositions by more than
100 international composers have been written for him. Cooman has made
many recordings as organist including 10 compact disc releases of music by
Lothar Graap, Carlotta Ferrari, Andreas Willscher, Eva-Maria Houbon, and
Thomas Äberg. His recordings of over 1,600 additional contemporary organ
compositions can be heard freely from his website and "You Tube". As a
composer, Cooman has created a catalog of works in many forms - ranging
from solo instrumental pieces to operas, and from orchestral works to hymn
tunes. His work is performed on all six inhabited continents and appears
on over forty recordings, including more than twenty complete compact discs
on the Naxos, Convivium, Altarus, MSR Classics, Raven and Zimbrel labels.
For more information, visit: <www.carsoncooman.com
<http://www.carsoncooman.com>>. His programme was:*
*Variations on a Theme of Paganini (2007)
Andreas Willscher (b. 1955)*
*Introduction & Theme, and 11 variations*
*...before knowledge of the physical Grove spines fades (2017)
Jim Dalton (b. 1957)*
*Organ Visions (2007)
Marco Lo Musico (b. 1971)*
* Gothic Visions from Perotinus' Time*
* Celestial Visions from Beyond*
*Rhapsody in A, Op. 1248 (2017)
Carson Cooman (b. 1982)*
*Yankee Doodle Variations
Carlotta Ferrari (b. 1975)*
* Theme and 10 Variations*
*Three St,. George Preludes (1983)
Thomas Åberg (b. 1952)*
* Moderato - Allegro*
* Moderato*
* Allegro*
*I have known Carson for a number of years now and have always enjoyed his
music and his playing. As the driver of my ride said, "this was probably
the first recital I have been to where all the composers were still alive".
Be that as it may, it was an extremely interesting and enjoyable recital.
We arrived a bit late and missed some of the Variations in the Willscher
piece, I hope to hear it again complete, it was a fun and great piece. The
Dalton was interesting, he is a local composer and was present in the hall.
I have always mentioned I am not a lover of contemporary music but the
exception seems to be the music Carson plays so well. The Lo Muscio was
interesting a bit heavy for me. Carson's piece was very nice and
appreciated by all present. The Yankee Doodle Variations, were written for
Carson and what a great piece, it was, fun. I am a fan of Ms.
Ferrari's work, and this is up there on my list. A very enjoyable evening
for all present. I will be going to two more recitals here in August and
report on them in a timely fashion.*
*Cheers,*
*Mack*
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